To Ease Allies' Fears, Rebels Attempt to Rein In Militias

By

Sam Dagher

June 13, 2011

BENGHAZI, Libya—Representatives of Western countries and Arab states, including Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, gathered in Abu Dhabi last week for a public show of support for Libya's rebels. But some of those backing the rebels are worrying privately about the fighters' role once Col. Moammar Gadhafi is no longer in power.

Some rebel commanders, especially in the eastern stronghold of Benghazi, have already formed their own militia-like military and security groups. They say that they are stocking weapons bought...